A Prussian soldier and writer, Clausewitz is said to have distilled Napoleon into theory. Perhaps best known among his numerous pronouncements is that war is a continuation of politics by other means. His theories and observations in this work have been heeded by military strategists for nearly two hundred years. Many have considered this to be the Bible of military strategy and tactics.

This abridged version of Clausewitz’s magnum opus follows the text of the New and Revised Edition (edited by F.N. Maude in 1908) of Col. J.J. Graham’s translation. Of the original three volumes, this version includes all of Volume I (except for the last chapter on night fighting) and six of the nine chapters of Book Eight of Volume III (The Plan of War). The editor’s objective in this abridgement was to select those portions of the work which most closely relate to our own time.

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Quotes & Awards

“Undoubtedly one of the most useful books ever written.”

New Republic

Listener Opinions

Rbolia | 1/27/2014

" Not a page-turner, but very thoughtful and astonishingly still credible after two centuries. Certainly no one since has offered a more thorough or insightful treatment of the art of war. "

Brook Finlayson | 1/22/2014

" To be honest, I haven't read all of this, but I find myself rereturning to it from time to time. Any political leader who commits troops or other resources to war should be required read this and then pass a test on it. "

Radoslav | 1/16/2014

" I think that this book contains some very interesting ideas about the nature of war and strategies how to conduct war. However, I found it not very easy to read and not very easy to distill ideas that can be used outside war. "

Sean | 1/13/2014

" Hard to read! But smart. Reallll smart. "

Leonard Houx | 1/10/2014

" Clausewitz apparently studied under Kant. The book feels that way (I.e. Kantian): systematic, concept-oriented (despite qualifications that some things should not be theorised), and awkwardly written. "

Johnny | 1/2/2014

" There should be far more quotations of Clausewitz than SunTsu "

Jessica | 12/22/2013

" This is a classic text in military studies and for world history post 1600 AD. Paret and Howard have a superb translation and abridgment here that makes the book accessible for students and for those with a casual interest in strategy. "

Dane Christensen | 11/26/2013

" Wow, pretty ancient text (1800s), hard to read, but instrumental in modern American military doctrine. Good material for putting you to sleep at night. "

Leigh | 4/15/2013

" "No one starts a war...without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by that war and how he intends to conduct it. The former is its political purpose; the latter its operational objective." Book VIII, Ch. 2 "

Sarah | 3/14/2013

" Tough read but so incitful into the strategy of warfare. classical realism "

Angela | 3/3/2013

" Good read for pre-20th century warfare. "

Ben | 2/12/2013

" The writings of Clausewitz were certainly important, but not memorable for me. I read a deal of Clausewitz and Jomeni in an undergraduate course. "

Karl | 8/5/2012

" Classic material, but even in this good translation you have to wade through a lot to find the pearls. Book 1, chapter 1 is great. "

Lainey | 3/22/2012

" actually the first chapter is brilliant. but thats kind of all you need to read "

Steve Woods | 10/30/2011

" The Classic must read for anyone with an interest in military history. "

Michael Guffey | 9/16/2011

" Boring and arrogant. Puts too much importance on "genius" of the commander when such a thing doesn't exist or cannot be actualized. Also, I learned that constant war is needed so as to not become effeminate. Still looking for the force equal to the destruction war creates. "

Dave Gray | 8/27/2011

" never finished it...I believe Von Claus followed Napolean around and wrote this book based on what he learned. "

Leigh | 3/10/2011

" "No one starts a war...without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by that war and how he intends to conduct it. The former is its political purpose; the latter its operational objective." Book VIII, Ch. 2

"

Rbolia | 1/11/2011

" Not a page-turner, but very thoughtful and astonishingly still credible after two centuries. Certainly no one since has offered a more thorough or insightful treatment of the art of war.
"

Craig | 11/23/2010

" This one was a tough read. But it's still a classic on military strategy, over 100 yrs after it was originally published. Add to that, he died before it was truly completed! One wonders what it could've been if he had lived to finish it.
"

Sean | 7/15/2010

" Hard to read! But smart. Reallll smart.
"

carl | 6/30/2010

"

Basic training for the young warrior.

This quote is one you pickup and apply the rest of your days:

"War is not merely a political act, but also a political instrument, a continuation of political relations, a carrying out of the same by other means,"
"

Dane | 1/5/2010

" Wow, pretty ancient text (1800s), hard to read, but instrumental in modern American military doctrine. Good material for putting you to sleep at night.
"

Lainey | 1/2/2010

" actually the first chapter is brilliant. but thats kind of all you need to read
"

Curtiss | 9/2/2009

" An excellent look at the mechanics and theory of war in the pre-aviation era. This 1968 edition has an introduction by Anatole Rapoport.
"

David | 8/12/2009

" It is, inarguably, one of the most important military books of all time. It's also boring as hell.
"

Jeffry | 7/30/2009

" Ya gotta read it but damn it is HARD to wade through
"

Dave | 6/9/2009

" never finished it...I believe Von Claus followed Napolean around and wrote this book based on what he learned.
"

About the Author

Carl Von Clausewitz (1780–1831) was a Prussian soldier and German military theorist who stressed the moral and political aspects of war.

About the Narrator

Wanda McCaddon (a.k.a. Nadia May or Donada Peters) has narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, has earned numerous Earphones Awards, and was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.

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